New Delhi, January 5, 2026 — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will undertake a two-day official visit to India from January 12 to 13, with the trip expected to give fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation across key sectors such as trade, investment, defence, technology and clean energy.
This will be Merz’s first visit to India since assuming office and comes at a time when New Delhi is working to deepen economic engagement with Europe amid evolving global trade dynamics, including recent tariff-related challenges with the United States.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the German Chancellor will arrive in Ahmedabad on January 12, where he is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following his engagements in Ahmedabad, Merz will travel to Bengaluru for further meetings.
“The Prime Minister will receive Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad on January 12. The two leaders will review progress across various dimensions of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which marked its 25th anniversary last year,” the MEA said in a statement.
The discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while also strengthening collaboration in defence and security, science and research, innovation, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties.
The visit assumes added significance as it comes just days ahead of a high-level visit by European Union leaders to New Delhi for advancing negotiations on the long-pending India-EU free trade agreement. India is also set to host French President Emmanuel Macron next month for the upcoming AI Summit.
MEA officials said Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz will also interact with business and industry leaders during the visit and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern. The talks will be held under the framework of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations.
Officials familiar with the preparations said enhancing trade and investment flows will be a major focus of Merz’s visit. The discussions are also likely to cover geopolitical developments, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as cooperation in clean energy.
In 2024, India and Germany launched a joint green hydrogen roadmap aimed at supporting India’s goals in the production, use and export of green hydrogen, a subject expected to feature prominently in the talks.
The MEA said the visit would build on sustained high-level political engagement and reaffirm the shared commitment of India and Germany to a forward-looking partnership that contributes to global stability and prosperity.
